Soldat turned back heavy favorite To Honor and Serve at the top of the stretch to win the Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II) by 2 1/2 lengths.
Ridden by Alan Garcia, Soldat went straight to the lead, battling with El Grayling through fractions of :24.34 and :47.99. To Honor and Serve was poised on their outside in third, followed by Gourmet Dinner.
To Honor and Serve made a bold run to challenge for the lead on the far turn, but Soldat turned him back easily. Gourmet Dinner was coming on the outside, but Soldat proved too good, crossing the wire in 1:50.23.
Gourmet Dinner finished well clear of To Honor and Serve, who weakened badly in the stretch to finish third. Bowman's Causeway rallied for fourth.
-Keelerman
So--what did you think? To Honor and Serve certainly didn't blow away the challengers; will you still keep him in the 2nd position on your top 20? Inquiring minds wanna know.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous;
ReplyDeleteI believe that I shall drop To Honor and Serve into the fifth spot on my list. I can't see dropping him below Mucho Macho Man just yet, because he defeated the latter twice last fall. Soldat shall move into the third spot, right behind Dialed In and Uncle Mo. Brethren shall remain in fourth.
-Keelerman